Method for producing hollow body elements, hollow body element, component, follow-on composite tool for producing hollow body elements

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing hollow body elements ( 200 ), for example, nut elements which are applied to components which are normally made of steel ( 280 ), in particular, for producing hollow body elements having an essentially quadratic or rectangular external profile ( 202 ). Said method consists of cutting individual elements of a profile in the form of a profile rod ( 1 ) or a winding after holes ( 204 ) have previously been stamped in the profile, a threaded cylinder ( 206 ) is subsequently, optionally, formed using a follow-on composite tool ( 10 ) which consists of several working stations. The invention is characterized in that a penetrating process and a punching process are carried out in the working station. The invention also relates to hollow body elements ( 200 ), components, follow-on composite tools ( 10 ) and rolling mills ( 600, 602 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A hollow body rivet element for attachment to a component of sheet metal ( 280 ), said hollow body element having one of an at least substantially square external outline and an at least substantially rectangular external outline, having a first broad side ( 2 ) and a second broad side ( 3 ), the hollow body element having a hollow cylindrical projection ( 210 ) which projects beyond the second broad side ( 3 ), the hollow cylindrical projection being surrounded by a ring recess ( 212 ) in the second broad side, the hollow cylindrical projection having a substantially constant diameter from its distal end to the recess, the ring recess including a portion having a surface substantially parallel with the second broad side and being bounded by a wall in the hollow body element, the wall merging into the second broad side, the hollow body element also having a hole ( 204 ) which extends from the first broad side ( 2 ) through the hollow cylindrical projection, a first axial portion of said hole having a thread cylinder or being sized for the formation of a thread cylinder and a second axial portion of the hole within the hollow cylindrical projection having no thread, the hollow cylindrical projection containing the second axial portion of the hole being designed as a rivet section that, prior to being deformed to form a rivet bead which clampingly receives the sheet metal component between itself and the wall of the ring recess, has no undercut at an outer surface of the hollow cylindrical projection, the second axial portion of the hole within the hollow cylindrical projection having an internal diameter greater than the first axial portion of the hole and greater than a maximum diameter of a thread cylinder formed in the first axial portion, wherein features ( 272 ) providing security against rotation are formed at least one of outwardly at the hollow cylindrical projection ( 210 ) and inwardly in the region of the ring recess ( 212 ) around the hollow cylindrical projection ( 210 ) the features deviating radially from the otherwise substantially constant diameter of the cylindrical projection. 
     
     
       2. The hollow body element in accordance with  claim 1 ,
 wherein the features providing security against rotation are formed by ribs ( 272 ) and/or grooves at the radially outer side of the hollow cylindrical projection ( 210 ). 
 
     
     
       3. The hollow body element in accordance with  claim 1 ,
 wherein the features providing security against rotation are formed by ribs ( 272 ) which extend in the axial direction along the hollow cylindrical projection ( 210 ). 
 
     
     
       4. A hollow body element in accordance with  claim 3 ,
 wherein the ribs ( 272 ) providing security against rotation having a radial width which lies at least substantially in the range between 10% and 60% of the wall thickness of the hollow cylindrical projection ( 210 ). 
 
     
     
       5. A hollow body element in accordance with  claim 1 ,
 wherein features providing security against rotation are provided in the form of radially extending ribs ( 272 ) which bridge the ring recess ( 212 ). 
 
     
     
       6. A hollow body element in accordance with  claim 1 ,
 wherein the features providing security against rotation are provided in the form of ribs providing security against rotation which extend in the radial direction across the ring recess and in the axial direction at the hollow cylindrical projection ( 210 ). 
 
     
     
       7. The hollow body element in accordance with  claim 1 ,
 wherein side flanks extend between edges of the first and second broad sides, the second broad side ( 3 ) lies radially outside of the ring recess ( 212 ) in a plane apart from any rounded portions or chamfers at transitions into the side flanks of the hollow body element, and thus has no bars, grooves or undercuts in the region outside of the ring recess ( 212 ). 
 
     
     
       8. A hollow body element in accordance with  claim 1 ,
 wherein the opening of the cylindrical recess ( 208 ) at the first broad side of the section is made with a rounded or chamfered entry edge ( 230 ). 
 
     
     
       9. The hollow body element in accordance with  claim 1 ,
 wherein the opening of the hollow cylindrical projection ( 210 ) is provided with a rounded or chamfered run-out edge ( 234 ) at its free end. 
 
     
     
       10. The hollow body element in accordance with  claim 1 ,
 said hollow body element being rectangular in plan view, wherein the ring recess ( 212 ) is designed with an outer diameter which is smaller than a smallest transverse dimension of the hollow body element ( 200 ) whereby the ring recess forms webs with the second broad side of the section which remain at the narrowest points in the plane of the second broad side in the range from 0.25 to 1 mm.